Obituary of Vincent F. Cavalier

Vincent F. Cavalier (Poppy), 93, of Trumbull, CT passed into eternal rest on April 23, 2016 at St. Vincent Medical Center, surrounded by his loving wife, Marie Higgins Cavalier and his family. Born in Bridgeport, Vinny moved to Trumbull at a young age. After graduating from Bassick High School in Bridgeport, he went on to apprentice and later become a master wood pattern maker, working at Farrel Birmingham in Derby, Denver Patterns in Bridgeport and retiring as head pattern maker from Carpenter Technology. His skills were legendary in his family with the acknowledgement that he built his own home with no more tools than a hammer, handsaw and pair of screwdrivers. Vin served aboard the LST 461 during his service in the U.S. Navy as a 2nd class yeoman in the Pacific theater from 1943 to 1946. During his later years, he enjoyed recalling those memories with his family and was honored for that service during many, many Veterans Day programs he attended with his brother and fellow sailor, Tony. As a Trumbull resident, he was also an active member of the Long Hill Volunteer Firefighters. Vin was an avid mall walker after he retired, and enjoyed the company of the many fellow walkers he met at the Trumbull Shopping Park. In addition to his wife of 66 years, he is survived by his daughter, Sharon Leichsenring and her husband Hans of Trumbull, and his son, Gregg and his wife Deborah, also of Trumbull. He will be sadly missed by his grandchildren, Ryan Leichsenring and his wife Anne of West Hartford and his two great granddaughters, Harper and Darcy; his granddaughter Rebecca Leichsenring and grandson Matthew Cavalier, both of Trumbull. The eldest of five brothers, he is also survived by his youngest brother, Gerald Cavaliere and Merrilee Currier and his sister-in-law, Dorothy Cavaliere, as well as his brother-in-law James Higgins and his wife Mina and his sister-in-law Kaye Higgins. He is predeceased by his son Bruce Thomas Cavalier as well as his three brothers, Ben, Tony and Louie, all formerly of Trumbull. He will be remembered by many nieces, nephews, great nephews, and grand nieces. The common thread shared in all memories will be that of a gentle soul who carried himself with great dignity. The family wishes to express their deep and sincere appreciation to the many physicians who helped continue his long life with compassion. These include Drs. Arnold Peterson, Edward Tuohy and Henry Backe. Friends are invited to a Mass of Christian Burial on May 18th at 11:00 a.m. at St. Theresa Church in Trumbull, followed by Interment at Gate of Heaven Cemetery in Trumbull with full military honors. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Wounded Warrior Project at P.O. Box 758517, Topeka, KS 66675 or at https://support.Woundedwarriorproject.org.